The Oxford University Press has recently announced “brain rot” as the word of the year for 2024. This term is associated with the negative effects of spending excessive time online, leading to a decline in mental or intellectual capacity due to the consumption of trivial or unchallenging material, particularly on social media platforms. Casper Grathwohl, the president of Oxford Languages, believes that this word reflects the ongoing cultural conversation about the impact of technology on humanity.
Interestingly, the term “brain rot” is not a new phenomenon. It was first mentioned in Henry David Thoreau’s book “Walden” in 1854, where he questioned why society was more concerned about curing the potato rot than addressing the widespread issue of mental deterioration. Fast forward to the present day, and “brain rot” has evolved to describe the proliferation of low-quality content on social media that can have a detrimental effect on our cognitive well-being.
According to Oxford, the usage of the term “brain rot” has surged by approximately 230% in the past year, surpassing other contenders like “demure,” “lore,” “romantasy,” “slop,” and “dynamic pricing.” This selection process, as described by Grathwohl, is a “dark art” that aims to provoke thought and reflection among the public. Last year’s word of the year, “rizz,” experienced a significant increase in usage after being recognized by Oxford, showcasing the influence of this annual announcement.
In addition to Oxford, other dictionaries like Collins Dictionary and Dictionary.com have also unveiled their words of the year. Collins chose “brat,” highlighting a confident and hedonistic attitude, while Dictionary.com opted for “demure,” emphasizing shyness and modesty. These selections reflect the diverse linguistic trends and cultural shifts that have shaped the past year.
Andrew Przybylski, a psychologist specializing in human behavior and technology at Oxford University, views the popularity of “brain rot” as a reflection of society’s dissatisfaction with the online world. He believes that this term encapsulates the anxieties surrounding social media and serves as a way to articulate our concerns about its impact on mental health.
While Thoreau introduced “brain rot” in the 19th century, today’s younger generations, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, have embraced and repurposed the term to address the challenges of the digital age. Casper Grathwohl finds it intriguing how these younger cohorts have adopted “brain rot” to acknowledge the harmful effects of social media that they have inherited.
Overall, the recognition of “brain rot” as the word of the year signifies a broader societal conversation about the consequences of excessive online consumption and the need to prioritize mental well-being in an increasingly digital world.
